In June, Europeans will take to the polls to elect their representatives in the European Parliament. Nationalist sentiments may be rife, but the themes that are likely to feature in the upcoming European elections are more prescient than ever. What will be the future of the Green Deal, how should the EU operate in an increasingly insecure geopolitical environment and how should the arduous question of migration be dealt with?

The answers to these questions will determine the future of European member states, as well as that of Europe as a whole. However, the democratic structure of Europe is one of a kind. This means that at the European level, it is not always clear where the power is located. We should therefore ask ourselves: who decides on the future of Europe?

In this lecture series, we explore the most pressing issues faced by Europe today. We will examine the EU’s history, current affairs and possible futures. Each week, a renowned expert will shed light on the EU’s role in their field, and on how European elections are likely to shape its course in years to come.

The individual lectures
1. Introduction on the EU and its Institutions: How Democratic is the EU?  (Van Zon / 28 Feb)
2. Migration (De Haas / 6 Mar)
3. Climate: Can the EU Lead the Fight Against Climate Change? (Prins / 13 Mar)
4. Geopolitical Europe (Vanhoonacker / 20 Mar)
5. The European Economy in a New Era of Superpower Rivalry (Tordoir / 27 Mar)

Organised in collaboration with Studio Europa.

In aanloop naar de Europese verkiezingen organiseert Studio Europa Maastricht, in samenwerking met POLITICO, op 29 april de derde editie van het Maastricht Debate. In het grootste verkiezingsdebat van Europa, gaan de Europese politieke leiders in het Theater aan het Vrijthof met elkaar in debat over onderwerpen die spelen onder jonge kiezers. Parallel hieraan vindt op het Vrijthof een debate watch party plaats. 

Houd de debatwebsite in de gaten voor updates! Het Maastricht Debate is een initiatief van de Universiteit Maastricht en wordt ondersteund door de Provincie Limburg, Gemeente Maastricht en het Europees Parlement.